The Dog Lover's Companion to Florida: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog

When I lived in Florida, I traveled extensively with Keesha, my 45-pound chow mix. I tried other guides, including those from auto clubs. They offer you the bare bones information. Then I met Sally Deneen and Robert McClure, who shared their Dog Lover's Companion. Being a certified grinch, I held off reviewing till I had a chance to use this book. Readers of my reviews will know my down-to-earth, honest, no-holds-barred style. To my great relief, I *loved* this book. I used an earlier edition extensively when living in Florida, when I had to make trips to places all over the state. I found amazing dog-friendly places in Fort Lauderdale, where I was living. When I visited Gainesville, I couldn't have survived without this book -- everything from where to get a burger to where to find a dog park. The information about each place is complete and accurate. For example, the authors clerly identify Dogwood park as dog heaven -- and their right. Even if you're not heading for Florida this trip, you'll learn a lot from the authors' introrduction to traveling with a dog. For instance, many hotels inisist "small dogs only" but their Maggie was a 50-pound German shepherd.. As they say, "Apparently to some hoteliers, dogs are just walking poop machines with fangs." (How can you read that without laughing out loud?) Deen and McClure offer a number of strategies, such as (a) Just ask if you can bring "the dog" and (b) capitalize on the fact that most motel owners "aren't too familiar with dog weights." A small dog? "She's only 50 ounds." Is that small? "Well, she's certainly not big. Half the size of a regular German shepherd!" Now is that practical advice or what? I've applied these tactics myself (and I'd add, when a clerk sees a dog can do a "sit" and "down," they assume only the best). But what makes this book truly a dog-lovers book is the way the authors manage to spice up each description. It's hard to imagine anything duller than a description of a hotel or restaurant. But who can resist: p 240-241: "The bones of extinct animals have been found at this national, natural landmark, and the lush surroundings are bound to keep wet noses twitching." p 421: "The muddy sand can be goopy...so bring a towel to wipe all paws..." p 181: "Your dog can hope for crumbs from your free breakfast of waffles, fruit and other eats..." instead of just "A free breakfast comes with the room." p 187: "The sand feels very flat and hard under the paws at this St Johns County park..." p 433: "Water dogs will appreciate this break from the usual Pinellas prohibitions on pooches..." Get the idea? Even if you're not heading to Florida anytime soon, you'll have trouble putting down this book. Don't miss the section on Palm Beach (dah-ling!) and enjoy a cameo of John Grogan (before he wrote the mega-best-seller Marley and Me). And then there's Brandi, mascot of the Broward County Humane Society, where I adopted my own dog. But if your travel plans call for Flori

I just loved this book! I'm going to Florida with my dogs in a few weeks and have everything already mapped out. If you like taking your dog places, you need to read this book. There are so many fun places we can't wait to get to.

This book is right on the money. We stayed in the Clearwater Beach area while vacationing in Florida, and used this book to find a place to stay at Clearwater Beach that is dog friendly. Also, the book listed dog beaches and dog friendly cafes. The dog beaches were so much fun for both us and the dog. The book also gave some great tips about taking dogs in Florida, like alligators and salt water, which us Northerners didn't really think about. A great book, would reccommend it to anyone traveling to Florida.

Being new to Florida and to dog ownership, this book was a lifesaver! I hated leaving the dog home and now I take her everywhere. The book is written in an upbeat but professional style. References to the author's own dog, Maggie, gives the book a touch or humor as well as instant credibility. I find myself reading just to be entertained, even when I know I'm probably never going to find myself in, say, Sarasota. The book is thorough and objective. Places are not just presented -- they're reviewed. An ideal gift for any dog-lover who's moving to Florida!

I never thought I'd be able to take my dog much beyond the schoolyard and a little park nearby until someone gave me this guidebook. Florida is not exactly the most dog friendly place, at least that's what I thought. Hah! I was very wrong. This guide book tells about all kinds of very cool places to go with a dog. I've even visited a dog bakery and took a vacation with my husband (and dog) in Key West and had a GREAT time. The book is fun to read too. I only wish they'd write one for North Carolina, where we spend every summer. Foxy, our fox terrier mix, says thank you. It's his favorite book.